Thursday, February 2, 2012

Why Should You Get Your Kid A Dog?

Photo Credit : www.shitzupuppies.info

Why should I get my daughter a dog?

This has been the one million dollar question that I've been asking myself since I got back to Cambodia after my month long vacation in the Philippines last December of 2011. I had a post before here in this blog, entitled "My Daughter's Wish". Little that I know that since I made that post, my daughter has really been expecting too much to get her shitzu pup. Before Christmas, she was expecting that she would get it as her Christmas gift but it didn't turned out that way. Then the following month was her birthday, January 04, but then again, no shitzu pup arrived in the house.

I didn't really pushed myself too much to get one for her coz of so many projects that were long overdue and I just wanted to set my priorities. After all, a shitzu pup is not that cheap, huh?

One day, when me and my son had the appointment with the Doctor for our check up, my son purposely asked me to just walk instead of taking a ride going to my daughter's school. Later only that I realized, that his purpose for doing so was to divert my attention as we will be passing by one pet shop on our way to the school. When he pointed the pet shop to me and asked me to check inside, then I realized that he intentionally planned for it. Perhaps, in collaboration with his little sister, of course. We checked on the pets inside the shop and I almost was tempted to buy. I checked the price, it's a whopping Php8,000 and the shop keeper said the last price would be Php7,000. Still having a strong self control, I didn't buy one that time. I don't want to mess up with my budget.

Now that I'm back to my work, sometimes I would see some cute pictures of shitzu on magazines and online. Now, I have this one million dollar question, "should I get one for her?"

Come to think of it, there should also be quite a number of advantages as to why we should get our kid a pet. The following might be some of the obvious reasons:

1.) Dogs are man's best friend. If your kid has her own pet, she would have a steady companion. The thought of having a cute little bunch of joy who would welcome your kid after coming from school is already a plus factor. Kids might be rushing to go back home instead of roaming around coz they will be looking forward to see their pet at home waiting at the door.

2.) Pets are good stress relievers. When they feel sad or stressful after along day in school, someone is there to comfort them and play with them.

3.) Pets are good for mental health. They said, shitzu are easy to train. They can communicate effectively with their master. Your kids will find ways to interact with them by teaching them some tricks and this will be a good mental exercise.

4.) Kids will learn about unconditional love. Unlike humans, dogs will always be there to love your kids unconditionally with all his/her imperfections. They won't bully or criticize your kids and love them for who they are. They will love your kids without expecting anything in return.

5.) Everybody in the house will enjoy the pet, young and old. It seems that there is an additional member in the family. The dog can entertain everyone in the house and bring such a great joy.

6.) Your kids will be trained to be responsible as they would not only need to take care of themselves now but another valuable member of the family, as well.

Now, I have this idea in mind, I would like to ask my readers and friends.

Would I get one for my daughter?

I will make a promise to myself. If I get at least 15 positive comments saying YES within a week time, I will really buy one without hesitation.(lol)But, if it doesn't reach my quota, then I should totally drop that idea.

Hahaha! I just want to have fun! Gusto ko malaman what are the opinions of others. Let's say, if you are in my place,will u go for it or not? Gusto ko kabahan si Mika ng bonggang bongga in case mabasa nya itong post ko. Hahaha!

Hello ate Krizza! Uhm, in my opinion, yes nalang. :) I believe your kids are responsible enough naman and they will be able to take good care of a new pet. Pagbigyan mo na mommy. Hehe. Since they asked for it, why not, diba? :)

Even the most seemingly well-rounded kids can still learn a thing or two from animals. Consider the case of Michael Barbosa, a 10-year-old fourth grader at the University of the Philippines (UP) Integrated School. A young achiever, Michael is a math whiz and a bemedaled ice skater who has been representing the Philippines in international competitions since he was nine.

Mom Rhea Reyes Barbosa, an administrative assistant at UP College of Home Economics, got a definite idea of Michael?s fondness for animals when he was seven. On the way home from school, he insisted that they pick up two abandoned kittens and take them home. ?He told me, ?We can?t just leave them to die,?? recalls Rhea, who raised Michael as a virtual single mom while his father worked as seaman. But die they eventually did, and Michael mourned the kittens for days.

For his 10th birthday last April, he begged his mother for a pet. ?Since I don?t approve of commercial dog breeding, I suggested that we adopt a dog from the Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS),? So from PAWS, he took home Chubby, a feisty white rescued ?asPin? (asong Pinoy).

Because Rhea and Michael stay in the UP campus during the week, Chubby lives with Rhea?s parents, José and Emilia Reyes, in Pasig, and the boy can?t wait to get home to see his dog on weekends. ?He also got money for his birthday, and he used it to buy Chubby shampoo, a collar, and a leash.? From all indications, the entire family dotes on Chubby, but it?s Michael who has been changed the most, becoming ?happier and more mature,? says Rhea. ?He learned that a dog has to be taken care of. He learned to share; now he always saves some of his food to bring home to Chubby.?

As an only child, Michael was used to being the family baby and the ?king of the world,? as Rhea puts it, especially for his mother. ?Suddenly he realized there?s somebody else I have to take care of, and it?s not only about him all the time. He has become less possessive of me and my attention.?

?My best friend?just like man?s best friend,? Michael answers when asked what Chubby is to him. ?I have best friends in school, but now I have another one.?

And the most important thing Michael has learned from his pet? ?I?ve learned to not just think of myself all the time,? he says, adding that he wants to be a veterinarian when he grows up.

Haha! Natuwa ako kasi ngayon ko lang to nabasa when Miks came over my home blog and requested to vote YES here.

MMM.. Dahil umeeffort nang bongga si Miks to have this very cute puppy.. therefore.. I VOTE YEs!!! Krizza! Nuva?! She's a lovely daughter with lots of achievements so she deserves this! Haha.. Ang saya ng blog na to and that little game you have there. Miks is definitely praying every night for this! I love it!!